A New Orleans man has been sentenced in federal court for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of firearms. Niroko Johnson, also known as “Ro,” age 29, received his sentence on August 14, 2025, from United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier after previously pleading guilty to both charges.
Johnson was sentenced to 180 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. For the charge of felon in possession of firearms, he received 120 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and another $100 special assessment fee. The sentences will run concurrently.
According to court records, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on March 18, 2022. They recovered 747 grams of fentanyl and two firearms. Johnson admitted that he intended to distribute the fentanyl and that he possessed the firearms despite knowing he had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from having them.
“This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.”
The case was investigated by several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman from the Narcotics Unit prosecuted the case.
